The South Australian Naturalist, 
115 
COLLECTING MOLLUSCA (SHELLS) 
AT THE 
OUTER HARBOR 
By C. WALTON. 
Situate 13|- miles from, and Avithin 35 minutes’ train journey of, the City of 
Adelaide is what is admitted to be one of the best and safest harbors in Australasia, 
which is known as Outei: Harbor. So complete has been the success of the designers 
of this place that boats in the roughest Aveather can lie Avith perfect safety, and at 
low tide the depth of water is never less than 33ft. It is here that the great Ocean 
Liners and other large international trading ships put in. It presents an interesting 
spectacle to the visitors to the Harbor to see these large steamers resting peacefullv 
as it were, on the surface of the AA^ater A*dth the busy movement all round of 
passengers disembarking and embarking, but to the Conciiologist it presents another 
viewpoint. He thinks of tlie busy life beneath the surface of that water ever 
evolving and revivifying nature. To him the discovery of a new form of shell sets 
him off into a line of research as to the nature, ]>roperties, and habits of that 
particular shell and the animal that inhabited it. 
So far as I have been able to ascertain, there are no text-books extant Avhich deal 
with that interesting and, to its deA'otees, entrancing subject of collecting shells. 
By many the study of this subject is regarded as merely a hobby, but to me, as a 
diligent student of Conchology, it has proyed both of ^educational and scientific 
value, and being anxious to impart to others, who desire it, the knowledge and 
results of my experience on this subject, I have written this short essay in the hope 
that it may prove interesting and useful to those in search of enlightenment and 
who are Avilling to help themselves. 
In the first place it is necessary to provide yourself Avith a suitable equipment if 
you Avish to reap a full return for your labors. Therefore you will require a strong 
pair of boots to wear in the Avater, as it is into that you must go if you Avish to 
succeed. You will also need a recepfacle in which to place your specimens ■ for 
this purpose I find one of those jars known as a Mason’s or Signal the most suitable. 
Do not iise a metal receptacle, as the metal, Avhen brought into contact with salt 
water, is fatal to Chiton life. When you start on rock-turning you Avill require 
what is generally k'nown as a bale-hook to assist you (this hook 1 find preferaMe to 
anything else I have tried or heard of) ; also a knife -the common sheath-knife 
Avill serve for all purposes. At times you will meet Avith specimens where your 
jar is not suitable, when it will be handy to have a small bag, and in your pocLts 
say, tAVO or three small bottles oi phials, which you will find very useful ; and last’ 
but not least, you will find a strap, such as a common coat-strap, with three or 
four snap-hooks attached, and Avorn crossAvise under the left arm and over the right 
shoulder, pulling it fairly close under the arm. On these snap-hooks can be hung 
your jar, bag, knife, and bale-hook, when you are working in the weeds and 
thus free your hands from encumbrance. The bale-hook and knife should’have 
a strong piece of line attached w.^th a loop just large enough to slip your hand 
through, and at such a distance from the handle that Avhen it is hanging looselv 
from your wrist it can be readily grasped. Now being fully equipped I would 
suggest that when you meet with a live specimen that you do not require do 
not take it “ Do not destroy life,” except Avhere necessary, for you cannot give, ti. 
